Molding apparatus.



a SHEETS-4mm 1,

PATENTED MAY 8, 1906.

A. M. & M. J. HEWLETT. MOLDING APPARATUS. APPLIGATION FILED 00T 1e 1903au. 2 0 M 9 1 m .lr s a QW V.. T A M M w D no E T N E T A P 3 HSN EU1LTw. WA. RT E o HAo nm Am MMM MIM .mm Mmm l D.. A M 9a7 8 W 9 l 00 nu NNo. 819,883. l l PATENTED MAY 8, 190s.

. A. M. @El M. J. HEWLETT.

MOLDING APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED 0GT.16. 1903.

` 8 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

PATENTED MAY 8, 190e.

A. M. L M. J. HEWLETT. MOLDING APPARATUS. APPLICATION FILED ocT.1e.19o3.

8 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

No. 819,883. PATENTED MAY 8, 190v6.

A. M. & M.-J. HEWLETTL MOLDING APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED 00116. 1903.

` s SHEETS-SHEET 5,

PATENTED MAY 8, 1906.

e H M J n v. M u 0 nm 8 r 1 1 @wa T. .m mmm. L 1 WML HPD MMM @.mm MmmAmMm j 9. w @y No. 8l9,883. PATENTBD MAY 8, 1906.

A. M. a M. J. HEWLETT.

MOLDING APPARATUS.

APPLIUATION FILED ocT.16. 1903.

B SHEETS-SHEET '1.

lll

No. 819,888. lPATENTED MAY 8, T908.'y

' A. M. 8 MJ. HEWLETT. MOLDING APPARATUS.V

APPLICATION FILED 00T.16. 1903,

8 SHEETS-SHEET 8.

36 lili Inv if;

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*narran -sTAIEs PATENT carica?.

ALFRED M. HEWLETT AND MADDRA J. HEWLETT.. OF KEWAN EE, ILLINOIS; SAIDMADDRA J. HEWLETT ASSIGNOR TO SAID ALFRED M. HEWLETT.

MoLDlNe APPARATUS.

Patented May 8, 1906.

Application mea october is. 190s.' serial Nn. 177.353.

To all whom' it mln/y concern:

Be it known that we, ALFRED M. HEWLETT and MADDRA J. HEWLETT, citizensof the United States, and residents of Kewanee, in the county of Henryand State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvementsin Molding Apparatus, of which the following is a specificatlon,reference being had to theaccompanying drawings.

Our invention relates to the molding of sand or analogous materialeither for the formation of cores or in making molds, and our presentapplication has to do particularly withl apparatus for so molding sandor analogous material.

Heretofore various attempts have been made to form sand cores by the useof mel chanical devlces; but, so far as we are aware,-

such machines have been unsatisfactor and in many cases inoperative. Insome of such machines it has been proposed to em loy compressed air as amotive ower to orce the sand or equivalent materlal in massinto themold, but without success, so that, so far as we know, compressed airhas never before been successfully employed in connection with sand or euivalent material in a molding-machine. e have discovered, however,.that the moldingof sand may be verysuccessfully accomplis ed bymechanical devices equipped With compressed-air mechanism fordistributing and packing the sand in the flask or mold and that by theproper use of compressed air sand cores may be produced which are muchsuperior to 'those produced by hand, since they maybe made much firmerWithout employing the bindingkdevices which are essential to theproduction of cores by hand. i

The invention which forms the subjectmatter of this application isgeneric in character and has to do particularly with the embodiment ofour discovery in a machine arranged to utilize compressed air orequivalent power for molding sand or analogous material. The methodinvolved is not herein claimed, as it forms the subject-matter of aseparate application for patent. The machine illustrated is designed forthe production-of'sand cores and operates automatically to carry theempt molds into position to receive the sand to fill the molds andafterward to carry them away' from the filling or y vertical section online 9 9 of Fig. 7.

is an enlarged sectional detail illustrating thelpressed-air supply andexhaust.

charging mechanism, so that they may be readi y removed by theattendant. Our improved machine is further arranged so that the char esof sand are supplied automatically, am? the compressed air by which thesand is distributed and the molds filled and packed is automaticallycontrolled so as to operate at the proper tlmes.

In general our im roved apparatus in the form illustrated in teaccompanying drawings consists in (a) a turn-table provided with meansfor receiving and supporting a plurality of molds (b) a correspondingnumber of cylinders arranged over said mold-supporting devices, saidcylinders, which may be termed compression-cylinders, being adapted tocarry the charges of sand and also to receive charges of compressed air,by which the sand is distributed through the molds (c) mechanism forintermittently rotating said molds and com ression-cylinders in unison;(d) mechanism or connecting the different compression-cylinders andmolds at the' proper times by substantially air-tight connections withmeans for supplying compressed air thereto, (e) automatic mechanism forexhausting the compressed air from the compression-cylinders after thecharging olperation, and (f) mechanism for releasing t e molds afterthey have been charged.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a side elevation of our imroved molding-machine. Fig. 2 is also a si e elevation showing the `sideo )posite that shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is an en elevation thereof. Fig.4 is a plan View, part of the turn-table being broken away. Fig. 5 is ahorizontal section on line 5 5 of Fig. 1. Fig. 6 is a vertical sectionon line 6 6' of Fig. 4. Fig. 7 is a horizontal section on line 7 7 ofFig. 1, illustrating the ar- 8 is an enlarged detail of a part of theturntable, illustrating the mold-holding devices.

Fig. 9 is an enlarged detail, being a partial Fig. 1()

valve mechanism for controlling the com- Fig. 11 is an enlarged'sectional detail of the upper end of one of the compression-cylindersand the supporting devices therefor. Fig. 12 is a similar view showingalso the connecting devices by which connection is made with the vloair-supply. Fig. 13 is an enlarged detail illustratin the mechanism foroperating the valve mec anism shown in Fig. 10. Fig. 14 is a plan viewof the arts shown in Fig. 13; Fig. 15 is a partial si e elevationillustrating the mechanism for supplying sand to thecompression-cylinders. Fig. 16 is a vertical section on line 16 16 ofFig. 15. Fig. 17 is a horizontal section on line 17 17 of Fig. 15. Fig.18 is a perspective view ofone of the blockswhi'ch compose themold-supporting devices. Fig. 19 1s an enlarged detail illustrating aart of the mechanism foroperating the sandceding devices, and Fig. 20 isa plan view of the parts shown in Fig. 19.

Referring to the drawings, 21 indicates the base-plate of the machine,and 22 the top plate thereof. The base-plate is preferabl circular informand the top plate ellipticaf; but they may be made of any suitableshape. Said plates are rigidly secured together by standards 23 24,which are preferably tubular, as shown in Fig. v5.

25 indicates a shaft centrally disposed, which is supported at its lowerend in a bearing-block 26, secured to the base-plate 21, its

upper end rising through the top plate 22 and extending a considerabledistance above the said plate, as shown in Fig. 6. The top plate 22 isprovided with a boss 27 around the shaftv 25 to provide an extendedbea-ring therefor, as shown in Fig. 6.

28 indicates a ratchet-disk which is horizontally disposed and ismounted upon the upper end of the shaft 25, as shown in Fig. 6, saiddisk having on its under side a boss 29, which fits on the upper end ofsaid shaft and is fixedly secured thereto by a set-screw or othersuitable means. The disk 28 has proj ecting above its upper surface aseries of pins 30, which perform the function of ratchetteeth, as'willbe hereinafter described. The disk 28 is provided at its peripher with aseries of notches 31 to receive a loc 'ng device 32, which operates toprevent said diskfrom rotating except' at the proper times, as will behereinafter described. The disk 28 and shaft 25 are rotated by means ofa pawl 33, one end of which'is pivoted 'on a wrist-pin 34, 'carried by agear. 35, as shown in Fig. 1. The other end of said pawl extends overthe disk 28 and is adapted to engage the pins 30, carried thereby, andto that end is preferably bent laterally, as shown at 36 in Fig. 4. Thegear 35 is mounted upon a shaft 36, horizontally' arranged and supportedin suitable bearings in astandard 37, carried on the top plate 22, asbest shown in Fig. 3. The gear meshes `with a pinion 38, mounted onashaft 39 also mounted in suitable bearings in the standard 37 as shownin Fig. 3 The `shaft 39 carries fast and loose pu leys 40 41,respectively, so that it may be driven by a belt from any suitablesource of power. By this construction by siass -disk 28, said disk beingrotating the shaft 39 the gear 3,5 ma be rotated, reciprocatin the pawl33. When the pawl 33 moves to t e left, as shownin Fig. '1, 1t engagesone f the pins 30, and consei uent y rotates the disk 28 and shaft. 25in t edirection indicated by the arrow in Fig. 4. On the return movementof thepawl 33v it rides over the pins 30 Without rotatingthe at suchtime locked against rotation, as will be hereinafter described.Theresult is thatthe shaft 25 is given an intermittent rotation, movinga distance e ual to the space between successive pins 30 for eachrotation of the gear 35. This arrangement may of. course be varied, ifdesired. A

In order to lock the disk 28 and shaft 25 against lrotation during thereturn movement of the pawl 33, I provide a -segmental locking-plate 42,which in the construction illustrated extends through an arc ofaproximately one hundred and eighty degrees. Iaid vlocking-plate ismounted upon a horizontal shaft 43, journaled in suitable standards' 4445, mounted on the top late 22, asl shown in Figs. 1 and 2, said sha tbeing adjacent to the periphery of the disk 28 so that as it rotates theplate 42 is ada ted to enter that notch 31 in the disk 28 w lchregisters therewith, as shown in Fig. 4. The parts are so adjusted thatwhen the pawl 33 reaches the limit of its downward stroke andthe disk 28comes to rest one of the notches 31 will lie inthe path of thelocking-plate 42, which enters it as soon as the disk 28 comes to rest,the parts being timed to that end. Consequently the disk 28 is lockedduring half a revolution of the shaft 43, which corresponds ywith half arevolution of the shaft 36 andv gear 35. In order to secure' thisoperation, the shaft 43 is driven from the shaft 364 bya chain 46, whichpasses over sprocket-wheelsV 47 48, mounted on the shafts 36 43,respectively, as show in Figs.v 2 and 4. As the sprocket-wheels 47 48are of the same size, the gear 35 and locking-plate 42 rotate in umson.p

49 indicates a guide-pin mounted on a supporting-plate 50, carried on astandard 51,

ywhich lscarried on the top plate 22, as shown vin Figs'. 1 and 4. Thepin 49 serves to guide `the pawl 33 and hold it properly to its work.

52 indicates a rotary su port or turn-table in the form of a disk, whicis mounted upon the shaft 25 and tightly secured thereto by a set screwor other suitable means. The turn-table is designed to support the moldsto be iilled and to carrythem successivelyv into position to receivetheir charge of sand. In the construction shown the turn-table isprovided with accommodation for six molds;

ut a greater or less number may be provided, as desired. The devices forreceiving and retainingl the molds in position are best shown in Figs.7, 8, and 9, by reference to which vit will be seen that eachmold-supporting device consists of a base-plate 53, which is'circular inform and is provided on its under side with a boss 54,I which fits in asuitable recess near the peripher of the turn-table, the lower surfacesof t e'bosses 54 normally being flush with the under sur- Y 4face oftheturn-table, as shown in Fig. 9.

55 56 indicate side blocks, the construction of which is bes't shown invFi 18, said` blocks being adjustabl mounte opposite each other upon thep ate 53, so that the space between them may be readily adjusted toaccommodate molds of different widths. The side blocks 55 56 arepreferably made adjustable by providing them with bottom plates 57,having slots 58 adapted to receive pins 59, screwed into the late 53.The sides of the bottom plates 57 t between guides 60 61, as shown in Fi8. One of the side blocks, as 55, isv rovlded with a sprin -plate 62,which exten s over the outer face t ereof, as shown in Figs. 8 and 18,so as to yieldingly engagp one side of the mold and press it against t eopposite block-56.

63 indicates the mold, which, in the form illustrated, is designed' for'the molding of T- sha ed cores. Said mold is split longitudinal y alonga central line, one of the members, as a, being rovided with dowel-pins64, adapted to fit 1n holes in the other member, b, to bind the twomembers together.

As shown in Figs. 8 and 9, the mold is fitted between the side blocks 5556, one end resting upon the base-plate 53 and that part of .j the moldwhich forms the stem of the T being at the back, as shown at ein Fig. 9.Said part of the mold abuts against an adjustable ack plate 65,-which isaiso secured upon the plate 53 and held in place by a set-screw 66,which lies in a slot 67 in the base 68 of the plate 65 and screws intothe plate 53. Suitable guides69 are provided for the base 68 of the backplate v65, as shown in Fig. 8. The

back plate 65 serves not only as a stop to limit the extent to which themold may be inserted between the blocks 55, but also closes that side ofthe mold tightly enough to limit the escape of sand, although theclosure is not tight enough to prevent the escape of a limited amount ofair.

From the foregoing description it will be seen that when a mold of thecharacter described is placed on the turn-table it is closed at itslower end and at the side, its u per end only being open, and. it isthrough t e upper end that the air and sand are admitted, as will behereinafter described. It will be understood, of course, that for moldsof (liderent shapes suitable gui'ies angl retaining devices are provi4e", so as to close the merid at all oints except those through whichthe air an sand are to be introduced thereinto.

70 indicates a supporting-plate which is preferably circular in form,corresponding with son therewith. The

the turn-table 52, said plate being secured upon the shaft 25, near theupper end thereof, as best shown in Fics. 1 and 6. The plate 7() '1ssecured to said shaft by a set-screw 7l or other suitable means, so thatit rotates in uniplate 7 0 is provided with a series of openings ycorresending in number with the plates 53, each o said openings registeringwith one of said plates.

72 indicates a series of cylinders the upper 'ends of which extend intothe openings in the plate 70, as shown in Fig. 6. Each of said cylindersis provided with an annular flange 73, which fits closely upon the undersurface of the plate 70 and is secured thereto by bolts 74 or otherequivalent means, so that said cylinders are held tightly in ilace. 'lhecylinders 72 are provided at t eir lower ends with h eads 75, which fitclosely thereupon and are tightly secured thereto by bolts 76 or othersuitable means. The heads in the construction shown are each provide/lwith a constricted passage or central perforation 77, which perforationsregister with the openings in the upper ends of the molds when saidmolds are in place. Normally the distance between the turn-table 52 andthe lower surfaces of the heads of the cylinders 72 is slightly greaterthan the length of the inols,

-so that when said molds are in place normally they are out of contactwith the heads 75, but may be moved into contact therewith by. slightlyraising the plates 53 indepcndenll y oi the turn-table 52. Theturn-table 52 may be adjusted vertically upon the shaft 25 by simplyloosening the set-screw or other means by which it is secured to theshaft, so as to accommodate molds of diilerent lengths.

The cylinders 72 are adapted to receive char es of sand or equivalentmaterial and to supp y it tothe molds through the openings 77. They arealso adapted to receive charges of compressed air, as will behereinafter r escribed. The cylinders regularly receive charges of sandthrough their o en upper ends 'from a charging apparatus, w ich is bestshown in Figs. 4, 5, 15, 16, and 17. Such charging apparatus consists ofa funnelshaped sane-bin 78, supported at one side of the top plate 22,preferably by a strap 79, secured to said top plate, as shown in Fig.2.. Said funnel 78 receives a constant `supply ol' sand from an endlessconveyer 8'0,',driyer'i' from any suitable source oi power. (Best shownin Fig. 4.) A spout 81 extends down from the funnel 78, terminatinginuneriately over the path of the cylinders and a'l jacent to the uppersurface of the plate 7(), as shown inFig. 2. Between the lower en l ofthe spout 81 and the upper surface of the plate 70 is provided areciprocating valve-plate 82 having an opening 83, adapted to overliethe open upper ends of the cylinders 72 when moved to its outermostposition and to move intothe spout 81 when the valve-plate 82 is 16. Bythis construction the Avalve-plate 82;

may be reciprocated tomove the opening 83 into the spout 81 to receive acharge of sand and to move it toits outermost position to supply suchsand to the ap ro riate cylinder 72. It will be understoo t at thevalveplate 82 is of such thickness that the opening 83 accommodates thedesired quantity of sand, sothat each cylinder as it passes under theopening 82 in the valve-plate is supplied with a measured quantity ofsand.

The valve-plate 82 is reciprocated from the shaft 43 by means of a cam86, mounted on said shaft and adapted to engage the upper end of a lever87, mounted on a pivot 88, carried by a suitable standard 89, mounted onthe top plate 22. The lower end of said lever is connected by a link 90with the valve-plate 82, so that when the upper end of said lever ismoved to the right, as shown in Fig. 2, 'by

the action of the cam 86 the lower end' there' n of is carried to theleft, moving the valve-plate 82 to the left and carrying its opening 83over oneof the cylinders 72, as shown in Fig. 5.

The lever 87 and valve-plate 82 are retracted by means of a spring 91,connected to the lower end of said lever ried by the top` plate 22, asshown inFig. 2. Thus the valve-plate 82 normally is in such positionthat the opening 83 lies under the spout 81.

The cam 86 is so placed upon the shaft 43 that it operates the lever 87only while the cylinders are at rest. The sand thus supplied to thecylinders 72 does not esca e through the openings 77 in the heads 75, orthe reason thatA said openings are made small enough so that they do notcontain a larger body of sand than is readily held in such openings'bythe natural packing of the sand therein. Where a large uantity of sandat a time must be supplied to the molds instead of a single opemng 77iii each head, as shown in the drawings, a plurality of small openingswould be provided.

After the cylinders 72 have been supplied with sand they are connectedwith means forl supplying compressed air thereto for distributing thesand throughout the molds and packing it therein. The mechanism by whichthis is accomplished will now be described.

93 indicates an inverted air-cup which is carried at the lower end ofavertically-movable rod 94, fitted in a suitable bearing in the top plate22.

flange 95, which is ada ted to register with the upper ends of thedierent cylinders 72 as said cylinders, respectively, come to rest belowsaid cup. In order to form an air-tight connection between the air-cup93 and the and to a lug 92, car-' At its lower edge the cup 93 is'provided with a comparatively sharp annular vided in their upper endswith an annular packing 96 of suitable iiexible material, such asrubber, so that when rthe cup 93vis moved downward far enough its iiange95 will engage tle packin 96, becoming embedded in it, and therebyorming a tight joint. The cup 93 is provided with an air-pipe 97,.;whichcommunicates with a valve 98. (Best shown in Fig. 10.) Saidvalve'consists of afvalvechamber 99, in which are a slide-valve 100 andpassages 101 102. The passages 101 102 different cylinders72,-said'cylinders are prolie adjacent to each other and are normally;

cut o' from the valve chamber 99 and4 brought into communication witheachiother by the slide-valve 100, which, as shown in Fig. 10, overliesthe inner ends of said passages and is provided with a concavity 103,which affords communication between said passages. K By moving saidslide-valve longitudinally in the direction indicated by the arrow inFig. 10 it moves from over the'passage 101, thereby opening thecommunication between said passage and the valvechamber 99, the passage102, however, being still cut ofi from said valve-chamber. The passage102 communicates with an exhaustpipe 104, while the valve-chamber 99receives compressed air through a supply-pipe 105, which receivescompressed air from` any suitable source of power.

By the construction described when the slide-valve is in the positionshown in Fig. 10 the `pipe 97 is connected with the exhaustpipe 104through passage 101, concavity 1 03, and passage 102. When, however, theslidevalve 100 is moved in the direction indicated by the arrow in Fig.10, passage 101 is connected with valve-chamber 99 and compressed air issupplied to the pipe 97 and cup 93.

The -slide-valve 100 is automatically operated to control the comressed-air supply and the exhaustion thereofpfrom the cup 93 andcylinders 72 by means of a lever 106, pivoted upon a standard 107,supported on the top plate 22, as shown in Fig. 2. At its outer end thelever 106 is rovided with a finger 1087 which is adapted) to be engagedby the projecting portion 109 of a cam 1 10, mounted on the shaft 36, asbest'shown in Fi s. 2 and 13, so that as said cam rotates in t edirection indicated by the' arrow in Fig. 13 it depresses the outer endof the lever 106, thereby throwing the inner end of said lever upward.The inner end of said lever is connected by a connecting-rod 111 withthe slide-valve 100, as shown in Figs. 2 and 10. It follows that whenthe cam acts upon into position to supply air to the cup 93 and thecylinder 72, with which it 1s in engagement.4 The lever 106 is restoredto its noi'- IOO the lever 106 the'slide-valve 100 is lvmoved malposition, which is that shown in Fig. 10,

by a spring 112, connected toits inner end and to the top plate 22, asshown 1n Flg. 2.

inders 72 1n turn with the compressed-air supply by means of aneccentric 113, mounted on the shaft 36, as shown in Fig. 6. Saideccentric is connected b an eccentric-strap 114 and arm 115 with a ever116, the middle portion of which is connected b a pivot 119 with a head120 at the upper en of a rod 121, which extends down at one side of thecylinders 72 and turn-table 52, having a suitable bearing in the topplate 22 and in a bracket 122, supported by the standard 24, as shown inFig. 6. At its lower end the rod 121 carries a bracket 123, in which issecured a pin 124. The pinY 124 is verticall disposed in such positionas to register wit the .boss /54 of the different mold-supports whenthey are in charging position.

\ 125 indicates a collar on the rod 121 above the bracket 122'to limitthe downward movement of said rod.

Each of the pivots 117 and'119 alternately serve as a-fulcrum for thelever y116, the operation bein as follows: When the outer or right-hanend of the lever 116 is raised by the operation of the eccentric, as thepivot 117 and the parts connected therewith offer less resistance tomovement than the ivot 119 and the parts suspended thereom, the pivot119 acts as a fulcrum for the lever, and the first effect produced isthe depression of the inner end of the lever 116 and the downwardmovement of the rod 94 and cup 93, the cup moving into engagement withthe cylinder 72 lying immedlatel be.- low it. As soon as the cup engagessai cylinder further downward movement of the 1nner end of the lever 116is prevented. The

ivot 117 then becomes the fulcrum of the ever, which is converted from alever of the first-class to one of the second class. Further upwardmovement of the outer end ofthe le-` ver therefore raises the pivot 119,and with it the rod 121 and pin 124, the latter moving into engagementwith the boss 54 and raisin said boss, and with it the mold-sup ort 53an the mold carried by it. The moldpis thereby moved into close contactwith the lower surface of the head of the cylinder, which is in chargingposition. This continues until the outer end of the lever 116 againmoves downward, when the operations above described are reversed.

The compressed-air-supplying mechanism is so timed with reference to theaction of the lever 1 16 that the slide-valve 100 moves away from overthe passage 101, and thereby admits air to the cup 93 as soon as theouter end of the lever 116 reaches its highest point, and the cup 93 andthe mold are held tightly in contact with the upper and lower ends,respectively, of the cylinder 72. As air is admitted only momentarily bythe action of the projecting finger 109 of the cam 110 on the lever 106immediately after the air is admitted to the cylinder 72 the pipe 97 isconnected with the exhaust 104, so that the pressure in the cylinder '72is relieved before the mold and the cup 93 are mov ed away therefrom.

The general operation ofthe machine is as follows: The turn-table beinggiven an intermittent rotation in the directionl indicated by the arrowin Fig. 7, an attendant standing at about the point :z: on Fig. 7 takesthe filled molds from the mold-holders and supplies em ty molds thereto,the empty molds being sli between the blocks 55 56, so that the art cthereof fits closely against the back p ate 65, as shown in Fig. 9. Theempty mold thus placed in position is carried around until it reachesthe osition y on Figs. 5 and 7,

where the cylin er 72 over it receives a char e of sand from the`valve-plate 82. The mo d then moves under the cup 93, which movesdownfinto engagement with the c linder immediately over it, and the -mod itself is moved up into engagement with the head 75 of such cylinderin the manner already described, thus making comparativel :ti htconnections at both ends of the cylin er. y the action of the cam 110compressed air is then admitted to the cylinder, forcing the ,sandtherein into and through the mold, packing it uniformly therein.

It should be understood that by the use of our apparatus the air is notemployed as a motive power to move a body of sand as a mass into a mold.On the contrary, the air permeates the mass of sand and is distributedtherein, so that when itleaves the constricted or relatively sn' allopenin or openings of the compression-chamber an enters the vacant spaceof the irold the air by its expansive force carries the sand with 1t inindividual particles or very minute masses into and throughout thedifferent portions of the mold,

Aleaving the sand packed uniformly, while the air escapes through thepartings and connections of the mold, which are tight enough to retainthe sand but not the air. The result is that a certain amount ofpressure is a plieddirectly to each particle of sand to pack it inposition. The result is verydierent from whatl could be secured byapplying pressure to the upper surface of an extensive body of sand, asin the latter case the sand at the` bottom of the rrass would becomparatively unaffected by the air-pressure. By the use of our improvedapparatus, however, the sand is packed in a homogeneous mass, thepacking being just as solid at the bottom thereof as at the top. Theresult is that thel core produced is firm and strong throughout, 1raking'the use of binding devices unnecessary, even for cores of shapesthat heretofore invariably have required the use of binding devices tohold them together.

The mold is filled with packed sand instantly upon the admission of thecompressed air, so that it is unnecessary to maintain ence lbeing in thearrangement of the devicesv for supporting the asks and for connectingthem with the sand carrying and supplying mechanism. For machinesdesigned to operate on very large molds or on flasks it may be desirableto employ other forms of devices for carrying the molds into and out ofposition to be charged. For example, a reclprocating carrier or conveyermay be employed in lieu of the rotary carrier or turn-table herein shownand described; but while our present application includes genericallyany suitable carrier, Whether rotary, reci rocating, or of otherconstruction, and the llnroad claims are to be so construed we have notshown such other forms herein, yas they form the subject-matter ofseparate applications for patent.- Furthermore, we wish it to beunderstood that in other respects, except in so far as the specicfeatures of the construction described are particularly claimed, we donot limit ourselves to such specific features of construction, but claimgenerically the subject-matter of the broader claims.

W e believe ourselves to be pioneers in the art of molding sand by theuse of the expansive force of compressed air or equivalent gas todistribute andpack the sand in the mold, and our claims are to beconstrued accordingly.

That which we claim as our invention, and desire to secure by LettersPatent, is

1. A sand-molding a paratus, compiising means for supporting t e mold,and means for introducing com ressed air and sand together into the molto expand in the mold and distribute the sand therein by its expansiveforce.

2. A sand-molding apparatus, comprising a mold-su port, and means forintroducing com resse air charged with sand into the mol said meanshaving a contracted discharge-passage.

3. A sand-molding ap aratus, com rising means for supporting t e `mold,an contracted means communicating With the mold for introducingcompressed air and sand together thereinto, so that the expansive force`of the compressed air acts to distribute and pack the sand in the mold,substantially as esczibed.

4. A sand-molding ya paratus, comp;ising means forsupporting t evmold, achamber adapted to containsand, and means vfor introducing com ressedair and sand from said chamber toget er into the mold and permitandpermitting the air' ported in adapted to contain sand and having aconstricted o .ening for the passage of sand therefrom to t e mold, andmeans for introducing compressed air and'sand from said cylindertogether into the mold.

'7. A sand-molding apparatus, comprising means for supporting the mold,a cylinder above said mold-supportin means and having a constrictedopening or the passage of Vsand therefrom to the mold, and means for suplying compressed air to said cylinder, su stantially as described.

8. A sand-molding apparatus, comprising a cylinder adapted to containsand in mass, means for suppo; ting the mold in communication with saidcylinder, and means for supplying compressed air to the mass of sand insaid cylinder, substantially as described.

9. A sand-molding apparatus, complising a cylinder adapted to containsand in mass, means for suppo; ting the mold in communication with saidcylinder, means for supplying compressed air to the mass of sand in saidcylinder, and means for exhausting the compressed air fom said cylinder,substantially as described.

IOO

v10. Asand-moldingapparatus, compiising a sand -holding receptaclehaving one or more constricted openings in the lower portion thereof,and means for introducing compressed air and sand from said sand-holdingreceptacle together into the' mold.

11,. Asand-molding apparatus comp; ising a mold-support, means arrangedto su port a mass of sand and having a contracte assage at the bottomfor introducing sand om above into the mold, and means for introducingcompressed air and sand fom said mass together into the mold.

12. A sand-molding apparatus, compiising a sand-holding receptaclehaving one or more constiicted openings at'its lower end for thedischarge of sand there-fiom, means for suppo: ting the mold incommunication with said openings, means for supplying sand to saidreceptacle, and means for supplying compressed air to the sand in saidreceptacle, substantially as described.

13. A sand-molding a paratus, comprising a sand-holding receptadle openatl-its upper end and having one or more constricted openings at itslower end, means for sup orting the Vmold in communication with sailower IIO the mold in communication with sai 3o.

openings, means for closing the up er end of said receptacle, and meansfor supp ying compressed air to the sand therein, substantially asdescribed.

14. A sand-molding a paratus, comprising a sand-holding'receptac e openat its upper end and having one or more constricted openings at itslower end, means for sup orting the mold in communication with saidlower openings, means for closing the u per end of said receptacle,means for supp ying compressed air to the sand therein, and means forsupplying sand to said receptaclensubstantially as described.

15. A sand-molding appa atus, comprising a sand-holding receptacle openat'its upper end and having one or more consti icted openings at itslower end, means for supporting the mold in communication with sai loweropenings, means for closing the upper end of said receptacle, means forsupp ying compressed aii` to the sand therein, and means for exhaustingsaid receptacle, substantially asdesciibed.

16. 'A sand-molding a paratus, compising a sand-holding receptac e openat its upper end and having one or more constricted openings at itslower end, means for supporting lower o enings, means fo;` automaticallyclosing t e u pe: end of said receptacle, and means for tllfeieaftersupplying compressed air to the sand therein, substantially asdescribed.

17. A sand-molding apparatus, comp; ising a sand-holding receptacle openat its upper end and having one or more constricted openingsat its lowerend, means for sup oi ting the mold in communication with said lower oenings, means for automatically closing t e upper end of saidreceptacle, and means for automatically supplying compressed' air to thesand in said receptacle when the upper end thereof is closed,substantially as described.

18.4 A sand-molding a paratus, comprising a sand-holding receptac e openat its upper end and having one or more constricted openings at itslower` end, means for supporting the mold in communication with saidlower openings, means for automatically opening and closing the u perend of said receptacle,

and means for a ternately supplying compressed air to the sand in saidreceptacle and exhausting it therefrom while the upper end thereof isclosed, substantially as described.

19. A sand-molding apparatus, comprising a sand-holding receptacle openat its upper end and having one or more constricted openings at itslower end, means for supporting the mold in communication with saidlower openings, means for automatically opening and closing the upperend'of said receptacle, means for alternately supplying compressed airto the sand in said receptacle and eX- hausting it therefrom whiletheupper end thereof is closed, and means for supplying sand to saidreceptacle, substantially as described.

20. A sand-molding apparatus', comprising a mold, acompression-cylinderadapted to supply sand to said mold, fluic.- fessure mechanism forpacking the sand in said mold, and means forautomatically actuating saidmechanism.

21. A sand-molding apparatus comprising a sand -receptacle,fluidpressure -supplying mechanism adapted to communicate therewith, forcharging the inold with sand from sai'l receptacle and means supportingsaid sand-receptacle so that it may be moved into and out of operativerelation to said fluidpressure-supplying mechanism.

22. A sand-molding apparatus comprising a sand-receptacle, fluidpressure supplying mechanism adapted to communicate therewith forcharging the mold with sand from said receptacle, a mold-support, andmeans supporting said sand-receptacle so that it may be moved into andout of operative relation to said fluid-pressure-supplying `mechanism. i

23. A sand-moldingapparatus, comprising iuid-pressure-su lyingmechanism, a sandreceptacle mova e into and out of operative relation tosaid fluid-pressure-supplying mechanism, and means for automaticallysupplying sand to said receptacle, substant a y as described.

24. A sand-molding apparatus comprising a sand-receptacle, fluidpressure supplying mechanismfadapted to communicate therewith forcharging the mold with sand from said receptacle, means supporting saidsandreceptacle so that it may be moved into and out of operativerelation to said fluidressure-supplying mechanism,- and means orautomatically suppyling sand to said receptacle when it is out ofoperative relation to said iuid-pressure-supplying mechanism.

25. A sand-molding apparatus comprising a sand-receptacle having one ormore openings at its lower end, fluid-pressure-supplying mechanism adated to communicate with saidv receptacle or charging the mold with sandtherefrom, means supporting said sandreceptacle so that it may be movedinto and out of operative relation to said fluid-pressuresupplyingmechanism, almold-support, and means for moving said sand-receptacle andmold-support into and out of operative relation to saidfluid-pressure-supplying mechanism.

26. A sand-molding apparatus comprising a sand-receptacle having one ormore openings at its lower end, fluid-pressure-supplying mechanism adated to communicate with said receptacle or charging the mold with sandtherefrom, means su porting said sandreceptacle so that it may be movedinto and out of operative relation to said Huid-pres- ICO IIO.

IZO

sure-supplying mechanism, a mold-su port, means for moving saidsand-receptac e and mold-support into and out of operative relation tosaid fluid-pressure-supplying mechanv the lower end of said cylinderover said openings, substantially as described 28. A sand-moldingapparatus, comprising luid-pressure-supplymg mechanism, a sand' holdingcylinder: open at its upper end and having one or more openings at itslower end, a vertically-movable cover for said upper opening, said coverbeing connected. with said uid pressure supplying mechanism, means forsupporting the mold in communication with said lower openings, and meansfor moving said cover into and out of engagement with said cylinder,substantially as ziescribed.V

'29. A sand-molding apparatus, comprising iiuid-pressure-supplymgmechanism, a sandholding cylinderopen at its upper end and having one ormore openings at its lower end, a vertically-movable cover for saidupper opening, means for supporting the mold in communication with saidlower openirgs, means for moving said cover into and out of engagementwith said cylinder, and means for automatically supplying compressed airto said cylinder when said cover is in operative position, substantiallyas described.`

30. A sand-molding apparatus, comprising uid-pressure-supplyingmechanism, a sandholding cylinder open at its upper end and having oneor more openings at its lower end, a .vertically-movable cover for saidupper opening, a vertically-movable mold-support below said cylinder,means for moving said mold-support to move the mold closely into contactwith the lower end of said cylinder over said openings, and means forsupplying compressed air to said cylinder while the ends thereof areclosed, substantially as described.

31. A sand-molding apparatus comprising means for supporting a pluralityofy molds, means for directing Asand into said molds,iluid-pressure-supplying mechanism for carrying the sand into the moldsand means for bringing the molds severally into operative relation tosaid iiuid-pressure-supplying mechanism.

32. A sand-molding apparatus, comprising a plurality of mold-supportingdevices, a corresponding number of sand-receptacles for 'supplying' sandto the molds carried by the mold-supporting devices,fluid-pressure-supplying mechanism, and means for moving saidmold-supporting devices and sand-receptacles severally into and out of oerative relation to said fluid-pressure-supp ying mechanism,substantially as described.

33. A sand-molding apparatus, comprising a plurality of mold-supportingdevices, a corresponding number of sand-receptacles for supplying sandto the molds carried by the mold-supporting devices, -1luidpressure-supplying mechanism, means for moving said mold-supporting devices `andsand-receptacles severally into and out of operative relation to saidfluid-pressure-supplying mechanism, and means'for supplying sand to saidsand-receptacles, substantially as described.

34. A sand-molding apparatus, comprising a plurality of mold-supportingdevices, a cor? responding number of sand-receptacles ar- Arangedrespectivelyover the mold-supporting devices and having one or moreopenings at their lower ends for sup lying sand to the molds carried bythe m0 d-supporting devices,l fluid-pressure-supplying mechanism, andmeans for moving said mold-supporting devices and sand-receptaclesseverally into and out of operative relation to saidiiuidpressure-supplying mechanism, substantially as described.

35. A sand-molding apparatus, comprising a turn-table, a plurality ofmold-holding devices carried thereby, a corresponding nurnber ofsand-receptacles rotatably supported above said mold-supports androtatingA in unison therewith, iluid-pressure-supplying mechanism forsupplying sand from said sand-receptacles severally to the molds, andmeans for connecting said fluid-pressure-supplying mechanism with thediierent sand-receptaclcs, substantially as described.

36. A sand-moldng apparatus, comprising a turn-table, a plurality ofmold-holding devices carried thereby, a corresponding number ofsand-receptacles rotatably supported above said mold-sup orts androtating in unison therewith, an stationary luidressure-supplyingmechanism for supp ying sand to the molds'from said sand-receptacles,substantially as described.

37. A sand-molding apparatus, comprising a turn-table, a plurality ofmold-holding devices carried thereby, a corresponding num-V ber ofsand-receptacles rotatably supported above said mold-supports androtating in unison therewith, stationary fluid-pressuresupplyingmechanism for supplying sand to the molds from said sand-receptacles,and means for supplying sand to said receptacles, substantially asdescribed. f

38. A sand-molding apparatus, comprising a turn-table, a plurality ofmold-holding devices carried thereby, a corresponding number ofsand-holding receptacles, having. one

ilo

or more constricted openin s at their lower ends, rotatably supported aove said moldholding devices and rotating in unison there' With, meansfor intermittently rotating said turn-table and sand holding recetacles, fluid-pressure-supplying mechanism or supplying the molds withsand from said sandrece tacles, and means for connecting said lui-pressure-supplying mechanism with the different sand-receptacles,substantially as described.

39. A sand-molding apparatus, comprising a turn-table, a plurality ofmold-holding devices carried thereby, a corresponding number ofsand-holdin receptacles havin one or more constricte openings at theirlower ends, rotatably supported above said moldholding devices androtating in unison therewith, means for intermittently rotating saidturn-table and sand holding receptacles, means for holding the moldswhile in charging position in engagement with the lower ends of saidsand-holding rece tacles, and means for sup lying compresse air to saidreceptacles, suiistantially as described.

40. A sand-molding apparatus, comprising a turn-table, a plurality ofmold-holding devices carried thereby, a corresponding number oisand-holding receptacles having one or more constricted openings attheir lower ends, rotatably supported above said moldholding devices androtating in unison therewith, means for intermittently rotating saidturn-table and sand-holding receptacles, means for holding the moldswhile in charging position in engagement with the lower ends of saidsand-holding rece tacles, and means for supplying compresse air to saidreceptacles and Jfor exhausting it therefrom while the molds are inengagement with said receptacles, substantially as described.

41. A sand-molding apparatus, comprising a turn-table, a plurality ofmold-holding devices carried thereby, a corres onding number ofsand-rece tacles rotatalily supported above said mold-i olding devicesand rotating in unison therewith, each of said sand-receptaclesconsisting of a cylinder open at its upper end and having one or moreconstricted openings at its lower end, means for intermittently rotatinsaid mold-holding devices and sand-receptac es, means for closing theupper ends of said receptacles when in charging position, means formoving the mold-su orts to carry the molds into en agement with thelower ends of said receptac es when in charging position, and means forsup lying compressed air to said receptacles or charging the molds,substantially as described.

- 42. Asand-moldin apparatus, comprising a turn-table, a glurallty ofmold-holding devices carried thereby, a corres onding number ofsand-rece tacles rotata ly supported above said moldolding devices androtating in unison therewith, each of said sand-recep- Vto carry themolds into engagement Wit tacles consisting of a cylinder open at itsupper end and having one or more constricted openings at its lower end,means for intermittently rotatin said mold-holding devices andsand-receptac es, means for closing the upper ends of sald receptaclesWhen in charging position, means for moving the mold-supports the lowerends of said receptac es when 1n charging position, and means for suplying compressed air to said receptacles or charging the molds and forexhausting the air therefrom While the upper end thereof is closed,substantially as described.

43. A sand-molding apparatus, comprising a turn-table, a plurality ofmold-holding devices carried thereby, a corresponding number ofsand-rece tacles rotatably supported above said moldolding devices androtating in unison therewith, each of said sand-receptacles consistingof a cylinder open at its upper end vand having one or more constrictedopenings at its lower end, means for intermittently rotatin saidmold-holding devices and sand-receptac es, means for closing the upperends of said receptacles when in charging position, means for moving themold-su orts to carry the molds into en agement wit the lower ends ofsaid receptacgles when in charging position, means for sup lyingcompressed air to said receptacles for c ar 'ng the molds, and means forsupplying san to said receptacles before they reach the chargingposition, substantiall as described.

44. A sand-mo ding apparatus, comprising a turn-table, a plurality ofmold-holding devices carried thereby, a corresponding number ofsand-holding receptacles for supplying sand to the molds carried by theturn-table, stationary luid-pressure-supplying mechanism for char ingthe molds with sand from said receptac es, means for intermittentlyrotating sald turn-table, and means for locking said turn-table againstrotation while the molds are being charged, substantially as described.

45. A sand-molding apparatus, comprising means for supporting the mold,a sand-receptacle having a constricted opening communieating with theAmold, and means for admittin compressed air directly to the sand in saireceptacle, substantially as described.

46. A sand-molding apparatus, comprising means for supporting t e mold,mechanism for introducing compressed air and sand together into themold, and means for automatically operating said mechanism.

47. A sand-molding apparatus, comprising movable means for supporting aplurality oi' molds, sand holding means for supplying sand thereto,fluid-pressure mechamsm for charging the molds, and means forautomatically operating said parts, substantially as described.

48. A sand-molding apparatus, comprising IOO IOS

'cessively.

means for holding sand, means for moving la lurality of molds into andout of position to he charged with sand, Huid-pressure mechan-4 ism forcharging the molds, and means for automatically operating said movingand charging mechanisms.

49. A continuously-operating molding apparatus, comprising means forlsupporting a lurality of molds, Huid-pressure mechanism Forsuccessively charging the molds With sand, and means for automaticallyoperating said charging means to charge the molds suc- 50. Asand-molding apparatus, comprising means for supporting the mold, asand-chamber having a partly-open bottom to'support the sand, and meansfor supplying compressed air to said sand-chamber ,to carry sand fromsaid sand-chamber and pack the same in the mold.

51. A sand-molding apparatus comprising means for supporting a mold andmeans for conducting compressed air charged With sand to and causing itto expand in the mold.

52. A sand-molding a paratus com rising a sand-holding receptaclpeadapted to old a said receptacle and carryparticles of sand p into themold.

53. A sand-molding apparatus comprising means for sup ortinv the mold, areceptacle adapted to ho d sand in mass, and means for conductingcompressed air char ed with sand from said receptacle into the mo d.

54. A sand-molding apparatus comprising means for supporting the mold, acompression-chamber adapted to contain sand in mass, and to be laced incommunication With the mold, anCFmeans for directing compressed airthrough the mass of sand 1n said chamber into the mold, to iil-l themold With sand from the mass.

ALFRED M. HEWLETT.- MADDRA J. HEWLETT.

